Ammunition link



Jan. 9, 1945. G. E. WARREN 2,366,387

AMMUNITION LINK Filed Feb. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR E 64396! i. ZZ/AKAI/V NEYS 1945- G. E. WARREN 2,366,887

AMMUNITION LINK Filed Feb. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /"'/a M r-(C), v

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' ATT RNEY5 Patented Jan. 9, 1945 assess-a smwnmon mm:

George E.- Warren, Bristol, Pa., assignor of onehalf to Albert W. Dunning, Springfield, Mass.

Application February 20, 1941, Serial No. 379,803

2 Glaims.

is fed into the gun the link holding that round fallsspart'from the remainder of the belt.

Each link in this type of belt consists of three loops, two of which are axially aligned with each other, and are adapted to hold a single round of unition in place. The third loop is parallel to the first two loops, but displaced to one side so as to be inserted between and be axially scent similar link. A round of ammunition g through the three loops holds the two adjacent links together, and the same arrange: ment is repeated an indefinite number of times. Hitherto, these links have been made by stamping out or sheet metal, and then bending the loops around to the required form. This is subject to several disadvantages, as follows: (1) In order to enable the sheet metal to be bent, it must be made out of soft steel or other soft metal. The result is that the links are easily deformed, even when subjected to only a moderate force. (2) Adjacent rounds of ammunition, in order to be fed into standard machine guns and the like, must be a fixed distance apart. When the links are made of soft sheet metal, this fixed distance can be easily altered by compressing or stretching forces applied to the links. (3) Cartridge cases are customarily do of brass, and corro-,

sion therefore is apt to take place at the interface between brass and steel or other metal of the ammunition link. As a result, it is necessary to package filled ammunition belts in nitrogen or other inert atmospheres, or to fill the belts by hand in the field just before being used.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide ammunition links which are stronger and lighter than previously known metallic ammunition links. Another object is to provide such a link which cannot be easily deformed, and in which the axial distance between the axially aligned loops on the one hand and the third loop on the other hand is not easily altered. A further object is to provide such a link which is not subject to corrosion. Other objects will appear hereinaiter.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of an ammunition link according to this invention. Figure 2 is a'view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a general view of a belt 55 s-' with the two axially aligned loops of an provided with ammunition and with links according to this invention. Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of a modified form of ammunition link. Figure 6 is a view takenalong line 6-5 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 of another modified form of ammunition link. Figure 8 is a section taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a view corresponding to Figure l of still another modified form of ammunition link, adapted to be used with certain types of machine guns for which links illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive are not adapted. Figure 10 is a view taken along line ib-id of Figure 12. Figure 11 is a view taken along line lie-Ii of Figure 9. Figure 12 is a view taken along line 82-42 of Figure 9. Figure 13 is a view taken along line iii-l3 of Figure 9. Figure 14 is a view taken along line MP-M of Figure 9.

The links of the present invention are made out of organic plastics or resins, including cellulose derivatives, natural or synthetic resins, and other organic plastic materials. Examples of such materials are cellulose acetate, vinyl resins, alkyd resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, ureai'ormaldehyde resins, and many others. The only characteristic necessary is that they be moidable into the required shape and capable of retaining this shape permanently when subject to moderate stresses. Thus, soft putty-like materials are unsuitable unless they can be transformed into a hard, strong mass. In addition, it is preferred that the materials be relatively non-inable, since the heat developed'in firing a machine gun is apt to cause them to set on fire. For this reason, pyroxylin is not preferred. The materials can be opaque or transparent. If the latter, they can be rendered opaque by incorporating a pigment therein. I prefer to use cellu- 0 lose acetate because of its relative abundance and cheapness, and the fact that it has better strength and elasticity for this purpose than many of the other materials mentioned.

The plastic is formed into the required shape by molding, as iswell known in the art, for which permanent molds are provided. It is set up to a hard, strong, tough form by chemical alteration by means of heat or catalysts, or by evaporation of solvents, all as well known in the art. After the material is completely set up, it is removed from the mold. Before using, the rough edges may be ground off, the holes for the reception of the cartridges reamed out, etc., or the links may be used without further treatment.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the three rings 8, I and 8 differ from the prior metallic loops in that they are completely closed, thus avoiding one of the principal points of weakness. They are thus not properly called loops but rather rings. The two rings 6 and 8 respectively cooperate with the third ring of an adjacent link. This third ring of the adjacent links seats on the concave surface 9 forming the exterior of the third ring I. This concave surface 9 is only on the sideof the ring I which faces towards the middle of the link, the remainder of the surface of the ring being convex. The concave surface is preferably cylindrical in form, for cooperation with the convex cylindrical surface of the adjacent link. The perpendicular distance between the surface 8 and the interior surface of the rings 6 and 8 should be approximately equal to the thickness of the wall of the third ring of the adjacent link. Thus it will be seen that when two links are assembled and a cartridge inserted through the three rings, the whole assemblage will keeprigidly in position. Since the entire space between the rings of adjacent links is subvertically, but to insure that the cartridges do not drop out of the belt, the nose of the bullet preferably points downwardly.

The construction of rings 6 and 8 is quite sirfiilar to that of the third ring 1. The inner surface of ring 8 may be somewhat smaller than that of ring 6, or it may be tapered downwardly so that the narrowing part of a cartridge may 'seat against it. The corresponding rings of the adjacent link seat against the concave surfaces 10 and respectively, facing towards the center of the link, which have a similar function and structure to that of the concave surface 9. As with the third ring I, the remainder of the exterior surface of these rings is convex. These rings 6 and 8 must ordinarily fit snugly the round of ammunition which they hold, and less tolerance in this respect is permitted than in the case of the ring I.

For strengthening purposes, longitudinal ridges I2 and I3 are provided, extending lengthwise between rings 8 and 8 on the one hand and ring I on the other hand.

In the modified form shown in Figs. and 6, slots [4 are provided in the outer edges of rings 6 and 8 in order to secure a spring-like effect in gripping the cartridges. These'may be provided in either ring 6 or ring 8 or on both rings.

In the modified form shown in Figs. '7 and 8 longitudinal grooves l5 are provided on the interior of the rings 6 and 8, to help in securing a close fit of the cartridges. In both of the forms shownin Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8, the grooves i5 link. This insures a relatively constant flipping force of the link upon the ammunition.

In many types of machine guns, the strengthening ridges i2 and I3 and other features of the devices illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive may interfere with the proper operation of the gun. For such guns, the link illustrated in Figures 9 to 14 inclusive is provided. In these'links, ridges I2 and i3 are omitted entirely. The two rings 8 and 8 cooperate with the third ring I of an adjacent link, as before. In order to provide sufficient strength, the concave surface 8 of the ring 1 is provided with transverse strengthening ridges i8. The corresponding ring I of the adjacent link has a cut-out portion, indicated at H, which enables the ring I of the adjacent link to cooperate with surface 8 and ridges II. The contions are not provided on rings I and 8, but rather there is sufllcient clearance between rings I, 1

or slots ll provide an irregularity to the inner 1 and I to accommodate these ridges. Obviously, cut-out portions I! could be omitted from ring I, or similar cut-out portions could if desired be provided on rings 8 and 8. The links illustrated in Figures 9 to 14 could also, if desired, be provided with slots, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, or grooves, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Besides being adapted to be used with many types of machine guns for which the devices illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 are not adapted, the device of Figures 9 to 14 permits greater fiexb bility without loss of strength.

As many variations are possible within the scope of this invention, it is not intended to be limited except as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A link for an ammunition belt for machine guns and the like, said link being molded from organic plastic material and comprising two axially aligned closed rings spaced axially from each other, and a third closed ring having its axis parallel to but spaced radially from the axis of said first two rings, said third closed ring having a wall portion adjacent to and forming connecting means between wall portions of said first two rings, said third ring being adapted to fill the space between the two axially aligned rings of a similar adjacent link' in axially aligned relation, the two axially aligned closed rings having interior peripeheries comprising alternate longitudinal rib and groove formations.

2. A link for an ammunition belt for machine guns and the like, said link being molded from organic plastic material and comprising two axially aligned closed rings spaced axially from each other, and a third closed ring having its axis parallel to but spaced radially from the axis of said first two rings, said third closed ring having a wall portion adjacent to and forming connecting means between wall portions of said first two rings, said third ring being adapted to fill the space between the two axially aligned rings of a similar adjacent link in axially aligned relation,

1 the two axially aligned closed rings having spaced longitudinal ribs extending radially inwardly therefrom to resiliently engage a cartridge case.

GEORGE E. William. 

